Fresno State’s United Student Pride celebrated National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11, a day dedicated to those in the LGBT community who have come out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer.
“Be The Change is an annual event that we do. We try to base it around National Coming Out Day,” said Stefan Alvidrez, president of United Student Pride. “The founder, Julia Scott, made this event because there were some youth suicides within the LGBT community at the time. So she wanted to create this event to let those students know ”” and other people on campus ”” that there is an LGBT community that accepts you and that you can join.”
The club organized Be The Change hoping to spread awareness, support and visibility of the LGBT community at the university and throughout Fresno, Alvidrez said.
Booths were set up in the Free Speech Area to supply resources to outreach and alliance organizations. Trans-E-Motion, Fresno State’s Cross Culture and Gender Center and MY LGBT PLUS attended.
Zoyer Zyndel, organization chair of Trans-E-Motion, said, “Trans-E-Motion is an advocacy-based organization, community benefit organization here in the Fresno area. We offer advocacy education outreach and support. We do that through monthly support groups and a monthly social.”
The organization also visits classrooms and agencies to teach “Transgender 101,” which includes transgender sensitivity and education, Zyndel said.
Be The Change included a hip-hop performance by a university dance program, choreographed by Wayne Hurley of the kinesiology department.
Alvidrez said, “We really try to encompass any type of art form so that we can promote our community.”
Drag queens, speakers, dancers and spoken word performers were invited to take the speakers platform to exhibit how they show their pride and support for the community.
Alvidrez said, “It’s fun to see everybody here and talking with other people, other organizations, tabling, engaging with students ”” which is really nice because we’re reaching out there ”” and it’s nice to see everyone here being themselves.”
